***THIS JOB VACANCY HAS NOW CLOSED***
Reporting To: Senior Partnerships Manager
Job Type: Sessional / Flexible
Location: The Poppy Factory, 20 Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 6UR
Salary: Hosts are paid £35.19 per group visit
Hours: Currently flexible Monday-Friday daytime shifts as and when required, visits are 90 minutes long with set-up/take-down time at the beginning and end of shift. Timeslots are 10:30, 12:30 and 15:00.
Hosts choose shifts that suit their availability and are under no obligation to accept shifts when offered.
About The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory’ mission is to support veterans with health conditions on their journey into employment and to support positive, healthy lives after service.
Founded in 1922, the charity moved to Richmond in 1926, along with many wounded, injured and sick veterans of the First World War. They were employed to produce Remembrance wreaths and products for the Royal Family and The Royal British Legion, and this work continues at the factory today.
In the decades that followed, we continue to offer a supportive environment for veterans with physical and mental health conditions. Our employment service now reaches into communities across England and Wales. To find out more, visit www.poppyfactory.org
Our Visitor Centre
The Poppy Factory has an important story that should be told to the widest audience. We have created our Visitor Centre to do just that, as it honours our heritage and the veterans of the past as well as ensuring we are here to serve the veterans of today and the future.
The objective for our Visitor Centre is also to generate significant income for our nationwide veteran services, so we can help more of today’s wounded veterans to rebuild their lives post-pandemic. Our brand new exhibition tells the story of The Poppy Factory across 100 years from 1922 to the present day. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the origins of the poppy and Remembrance, the role of the people who have lived and worked at The Poppy Factory over the years, as well as having a go at making their own poppy.
Visitors are also invited to learn more about our modern mission beyond Richmond as part of their experience. In our centenary year, we invite visitors to celebrate the people who have contributed to our history and community, both here in Richmond and across the UK: www.poppyfactory.org/100/
Purpose of the Role
Based in our new Visitor Centre, the purpose of this role is to host visitor groups. As well as providing a warm welcome, Hosts help bring to life the fascinating story of The Poppy Factory and ensure a positive and informative experience for all our visitors.
In keeping with the space and to maximise visitor numbers, we focus on large (25 to 50) pre-booked groups arranged through Group Travel Operators or communities such as the WI and U3A. We also host school visits and other youth groups. We are actively researching how to increase and broaden our audiences. Where there might be mutual interests or specific relevant experience, we plan to appropriately match Visitor Centre Hosts to particular groups.
We also offer ‘Discovery Visits’ to the public to enable individuals and small groups to visit. We are trialing a small calendar of special events, such as concerts or workshops where support from Hosts may be required. For larger visits, Volunteers offer assistance and are supported in their duties by the Host.
